Philosophy 304
Dr. Stephen Hicks
Scarborough 119
Phone: 226 4078
SHicks@Rockford.edu or Stephen@StephenHicks.org
We will read and discuss five major philosophies in modern ethical theory. Our goals will be to understand each philosopher’s views in his or her own right and to understand how each philosopher reacts to the contemporary debate. Since the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions have had so much influence on the contemporary debate, we will begin the semester by reviewing the major themes of those traditions. This will enable us better to grasp the major issues in the contemporary debates.
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals
John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism
Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogy of Morals
Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
Stephen Hicks, ed. Ethical Theory Readings
You will also need a copy of the Bible (or at least The New Testament).
Midterm test ………………………………….. 20 %
Book review of Robert Greene ………………. 15
Three optional essays
|
# of essays written |
% value of essays |
% value of exam |
|
0 |
0 |
65 |
|
1 |
15 |
50 |
|
2 |
30 |
35 |
|
3 |
45 |
20 |
Week |
Topic |
Readings |
|
1 |
Introduction. Five debates in ethical theory: § Naturalism vs. Supernaturalism [where] § Objectivism vs. Subjectivism [how] § Universalism vs. Relativism [who/when] § Egoism vs. Altruism [what] § Happiness vs. Duty [why] |
|
|
2 |
Epicurus: Hedonism |
Letter to Menoeceus |
|
3 |
Epictetus: Stoicism |
The Enchiridion |
|
4 |
Jesus: Selfless sacrifice for others |
New Testament: The Gospel according to Luke |
|
5 |
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Egalitarianism |
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality |
|
6 |
Immanuel Kant: Sacrifice and Duty |
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals |
|
7 |
Kant, continued |
Groundwork … |
|
8 |
John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism |
Utilitarianism |
|
9 |
Mill, continued |
Utilitarianism |
|
10 |
Friedrich Nietzsche: Will to Power |
Genealogy of Morals |
|
11 |
Nietzsche, continued |
Genealogy … |
|
12 |
Ayn Rand: Rational Egoism |
“The Objectivist Ethics,” |
|
13 |
Rand, continued |
“Man’s Rights,” “Collectivized Rights” |
|
14 |
Conclusions |
|
© Stephen Hicks